Start to the weekend marred by wrecks in local area

Post Advertisement

It was a busy start to the weekend for public safety officials in the local area with a two-vehicle wreck shutting down Highway 78 at Unisia Drive just as the Friday afternoon commute got under way.

“It happened at 3:49 p.m. The first vehicle was a 2017 Chrysler 300 – driven by Yvonne Davenport, 60, from Monroe and the other vehicle was a 2008 Dodge Charger driven by Ma’chael Daniel, 26, from Monroe, with a passenger, Tameria Kelley, 22. Everybody was injured, but nothing life-threatening,” said Georgia State Patrol Trooper First Class Cal Barton. “They were all taken by ambulance to Piedmont Athens Regional.”

Barton said the Chrysler was in the left lane of Highway 78 headed toward Athens when it went through on a red light, according to witnesses. This caused it to collide with the Charger, which was traveling into the intersection from Unisia Drive on a green light, either continuing on to James Huff or turning onto Highway 78 west.

Barton said it wasn’t long after that when another accident, this time involving a single vehicle, happened on Bold Springs Road, just passed Stock Gap Road. Kelly Griffin, 26, of Monroe was driving a 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee, traveling south on Bold Springs when she traveled off the west shoulder, overcorrected and overturned.

“She was ejected, but was very lucky,” Barton said “Witnesses saw it and actually saw her being ejected.”

Barton said Griffin has been charged with failure to maintain lane, expired registration, driving on a suspended license and driving under the influence, drugs.

“People need to understand that just because you’re prescribed a prescription, it doesn’t mean you’re OK to drive. You need to be mindful of that,” Barton said.